Morung Express News
Kohima | October 25
In continuation of its demand for ‘62 years of service for all doctors,’ the Nagaland In-Service Doctors’ Association (NIDA) on October 22 gave a 48-hour time to the State government to give a positive response.
NIDA has expressed its dismay that nothing tangible has been worked out till today regarding the superannuation issue raised by the association.
With no response from the government of Nagaland in regard to its earlier presentation submitted on August 1, 2022, NIDA served the 48-hour ultimatum starting from the midnight of October 25.
The ultimatum addressed to the State Chief Secretary; Secretary, Heath & Family Welfare; and Principal Director, H&FW cautioned that NIDA has decided to on a “cease work except for emergency and life saving services indefinitely” if there State government fails to address the issue within the given period.
“During the agitation if any untoward incident occurs, the government will be solely held responsible,” it stated, further informing that the association would be compelled to intensify the agitation further, if there is no response.
It may be mentioned here that in pursuance of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement on May 31, 2016 to enhance the age of superannuation keeping in view the shortage of doctors and to retain experienced doctors, the central government and most states have raised the age of medical doctors’ retirement to 65 years, after amendment of fundamental rules for doctors.
Subsequently, NIDA had written to the State government on August 17, 2016 for enhancement of superannuation age.
With no positive response for 5 years, on January 25, 2021, the NIDA registered its first resentment by wearing black arm bands. On April 8, 2021, it also announced the start of second phase of agitation in the form of three-day mass casual leave from April 12, which was keep in abeyance after appeal from Chief Secretary of Nagaland.
An indefinite cease work except for emergency services from April 15 was also called off on April 17 after the Chief Secretary’s “assured” to NIDA in writing to “resolved the matter within a period not exceeding one year.”
After the expiry of one-year assurance, the State Cabinet decided to enhance the superannuation age of all the doctors from 60 to 62 years through Re-employment, which the NIDA ‘outrightly’ and called for a review on April 26.
After a lapse of 3 months without any response, the NIDA again announced the indefinite cease work from July 18, 2022, which was kept in abeyance after H&FW Minister’s appeal in view of the Presidential Election.
On August 1, 2022, the NIDA submitted another representation over the issue while a press release from the association on October 22 reiterated the review the “Re-employment” condition and enhancement of the superannuation age of 62 years for doctors without any condition and criteria.
In the intervening period, the NIDA has been repeatedly reminding the State Government about the Prime Minister’s announcement as well as other related issues.
Among others, the NIDA viewed that owing to long duration of MBBS course, doctors enter into the State service around the age of 26-27 years and are unable to complete the 35 years length of service due to superannuation of age.
It further observed that in the coming years, many experienced senior doctors will be retiring due to superannuation of age which will further aggravate the doctors’ shortage crisis in the State.
